This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.

The invention also makes its user consider how
this light switch works, unlike in a normal
everyday scenario where the technology is hidden
from the eye and controlled by anonymous red,
blue and green wires.
The Belgian’s next idea was more ambitious - to
redesign the TV remote control using the same
principles. “Why don’t we shift the attention from
the TV to the remote itself,” questions Kindelis.
The device is limited to three functions: An on/off
switch, volume control, and five channels. Each
function is served by a test tube containing a
varying amount of water. Brass instruments are
then lowered into the test tube. When the water
rises, it is sensed by the small electric cables that
are carefully drilled into the tubes, and the change,
and its intended function – to switch to channel
three for instance – is communicated to a linked
remote control, which mediates wirelessly with the
television. “It’s controlled by water displacement,”
confirms Philippe, “so as this brass bar is lowered
further into the middle tube, the volume goes up
as it rises past each of the five wires on either side.
Essentially, when the level goes up the remote
control presses the plus button, and when it goes
down it hits minus.”
“Electronics are a neat solution helping us to do
more things with less effort. But I wanted to take
this technology and structure and mix it up with
“London has the
the existential taboo of water and electricity. The
exact thing that should destroy it makes it work.”
most e
Above, The Tv Remote Control
The next opportunity for Philippe’s imagination
pub
xpensive
in its normal setting.
Below, The Light Switch,
was a radiator design competition. “It sounded
really boring, so I thought why not try something
system in the w
lic transport
uses the principles of the
hourglass and the clepsydra
funny.” Philippe designed a boiler system that uses
and I personally
orld,
to perform a basic action.
urine, rather than water, to heat. “Rather than
heating cold water to 50 degrees centigrade from
belie
seven degrees, it takes urine at 37 degrees.” Thus,
less energy is required, though a warm house does
tr
require a very large and regularly full bladder.
“People are always looking to use waste in a better
state-funded and
anspor
ve pub
t should be
lic
manner. For me it was just a joke, but the
competition judges really liked it.”
fr
Having confronted the taboos of mixing water a g
ee. But this is not
with electricity and relieving one’s self in the
boiler room, now Philippe’s focus has shifted
just ha
orilla tactic. I’m
to combating the extortionate transport fees
of Britain’s capital city.
basicall
ving a laugh,
y.”
Controversial for replacing the iconic red
‘Routemaster’ double-decker bus, London’s
Kindelis’ design professor thought his student’s
‘bendy’ buses – long and with a central joint for
sense of humor could endanger lives, but as it
flexibility around corners – do have a redeeming
turned out, the only shock was that his concepts
feature. “They have three doors as opposed to two,
worked. And while the practical applications of
and if you get on at the rearmost one the driver
urine-derived heat and water-born channel
cannot see you board,” explains Philippe, “so as
changing can be debated, this writer is now
long as there aren’t any inspectors on board, and
saving a small fortune on his daily commute.
they’re easy to spot, you’ll never have to pay for the
/ Adam Hay-Nicholls
journey.” So Philippe has researched all the bendy
bus routes to produce what looks like an official
Transport For London route map. The purpose?
For distribution among his fare-dodging friends.
25 / 96
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100
Produced with Yudu - www.yudu.com